How to Lacquer a Picture to the Top of a Dresser

Decoupage is the art of attaching decorative paper to an item, such as a furniture piece, and sealing it with lacquer for preservation. Decoupage is an easy and inexpensive project that allows you to customize nearly any home décor item. For example, the top of a dresser is the perfect surface for decoupaging an image. Covering the top of the dresser with a picture can hide imperfections in its finish while providing you with a unique, custom furniture piece that matches your décor.

Picture of your choice
Craft or butcher paper
Scissors or craft knife
Household glue
2 foam brushes
Sponge
Brayer
Acrylic polyurethane lacquer

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the dresser thoroughly before starting.
- 2
  Create a template for the image by tracing the outline of the dresser top onto a piece of craft or butcher paper.
- 3
  Position the template on the image. You may need to adjust the template’s position several times to capture the portion of the image you want to feature.
- 4
  Trace the shape of the template onto the image with a pencil.
- 5
  Cut the image out using sharp scissors. You may choose to cut the image out a bit larger than the template to allow a small margin of error. Any excess may be easily trimmed off after the image is applied to the top of the dresser.
- 6
  Apply household glue to the top of the dresser using a foam brush.
- 7
  Place the picture in water for 10 seconds to relax the material, making it easier to work with.
- 8
  Align the image in the correct position and apply it to the top of the dresser. Smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles using a sponge and brayer. Air bubbles may continue to appear for up to an hour after the picture has been applied.
- 9
  Allow the dresser to dry overnight.
- 10
  Apply three to five coats of acrylic polyurethane to the entire top of the dresser. Allow each coat to dry for one hour before applying the next coat.

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